Mark Steinmeyer brings an award-winning high school and college football career as well as 17 years of coaching experience to his role as Reading Express Head Coach for the 2012 season. Originally from Little Falls, NJ, Mark, 41, attended Kutztown University and studied speech and communication while breaking several school football records. But football is only one aspect of his life. While working for UPS, he earned his teaching certification in elementary education through Alvernia University. Today, this husband and father of two is a fifth-grade teacher at Lauer’s Park Elementary and is currently earning his principalship.
How would you describe the experience of arena football?
“We’ll sell you the seat, but you only need the edge.” The Express has used this tagline, and it is one of the best ways to describe the experience. The game of indoor football is unbelievably exciting, especially if you like watching teams score. Recently we scored 53 points and still lost. It is fast, hard-hitting and almost always comes down to the fourth quarter. Our players are very motivated. These guys want to get to the AFL, CFL or NFL. For whatever reason, they have been overlooked by other coaches and general managers. They want to prove they can play at a high level. Our players have a wide range of talent, from Division 1 to Division 3 schools, and some played for national college championships.
Tell us about your role as head coach.
I joined the Express staff in 2008 to coach defense and then became defensive coordinator. I was promoted to head coach this year, my fifth year with the organization. I take care of recruiting on a national level, coordinating practices and the schedule and making player trades and transactions. I am supported by a wonderful coaching staff. Our coaches have college experience – either playing or coaching – or are head high school football coaches. The team has a rich tradition of winning, including five division titles and the 2009 National Championship. We have great ownership. Ted and Lisa Lavender are wonderful. They put their trust in me, the rest of the coaching staff and the players, and it’s a very positive environment.
How do you balance coaching, teaching and your family?
Time management helps. My wife Abby is a teacher at Northwest Elementary School. We get home from school and have family time. We still sit down and have dinner together almost every night. As crazy and hectic as it gets, we take this time to talk and catch up about school. This is something we believe in. Then we run the kids to practice. Sophia, 13, is a competitive gymnast, and Anthony, 11, wrestles. When the kids get home and are settling in for the night, then I head out to practice. Express practices are typically 9-11pm. It is a busy schedule.
How about balancing time as a husband?
My wife is a saint – the ideal football wife. She supports my coaching career and understands the time commitment that is necessary in order to be successful. We make time for ourselves as well. We try every week to have mini-dates for 45 minutes; we get an appetizer and a drink.
When the football season is over, how do you enjoy spending your free time?
For Abby and me, everything is about our children and spending time as a family. We also love to go to the beach, the Jersey Shore or the Outer Banks. And we like to camp during the summer and fall. It’s very relaxing and gives us time to just talk. My son and I like to hunt and we all fish.
If you could take a trip anywhere, to what destination would it be?
I would really like to take my wife to Hawaii. It would be a second honeymoon for us. She loves warm weather and warm water.
What is your favorite sports-related movie?
It’s this documentary by Kenny Chesney called Boys of Fall. They talk to some of the most famous coaches and players in the game and relate it to high school football. It is very inspirational and thought provoking.
What is your approach to coaching?
I try to instill in my players, and my children, that through hard work and determination, all their dreams can become a reality. Hard work will not go unrewarded and sports are not about individuals. And I instill the importance of working hard in my players and in my children. I say to my children when I drop them off at practice, “When are champions made?” And they know the response: “When nobody’s watching.” It is when they are working hard, learning and training at practices that they develop into a champion.
BY KRISTIN KRAMER | PHOTO BY JOHN SECOGES
